Do shocks with AAL and TT?

[Jester1994]

hey guys, I will be putting shackles, single AAL and doing a TT to my Explorer sometime this summer. It has 70k on it and i was wondering whether I should replace the shocks on it when I do the suspension mods? Replace them with some decent, but not expensive aftermarket shocks? Who has done it before?
I am just for the 2 inch lift, but wondering if I should work to improv ethe ride while I am working down there anyway.

Also, my friend with a 97 X, with 105k on it wants to replace the shocks for a better ride, how much and what should he replace them with? Factory? Other ones that are cheapish, but will improve the ride?

 

[VBVA]

DO NOT GET FACTORY SHOCKS! First, if your buddy wants a softer ride get Gabriels or similar, stay away from light truck shocks that will jar you (Rancho's, etc...). As for your shocks with a lift, you should be fine by keeping your existing shocks, but if it gets higher than 2" above stock height you will need new shocks.

 

[SplashMan]

Originally posted by Jester1994
hey guys, I will be putting shackles, single AAL and doing a TT to my Explorer sometime this summer. It has 70k on it and i was wondering whether I should replace the shocks on it when I do the suspension mods? Replace them with some decent, but not expensive aftermarket shocks? Who has done it before?
I am just for the 2 inch lift, but wondering if I should work to improve the ride while I am working down there anyway.

May as well go ahead and change the shocks. 60K is the rule of thumb I usually go by for shocks. Pep-boys carries a good line of the Gabriel shocks. Explorer Pro-Comp ES-3000s are nice too, they ride about half way between a stock one(soft) and a Rancho RS5000(stiff).

Originally posted by Jester1994
Also, my friend with a 97 X, with 105k on it wants to replace the shocks for a better ride, how much and what should he replace them with? Factory? Other ones that are cheapish, but will improve the ride?

Same thing for him, Gabriels...

 

[Ru Dawg]

I also would definitely change the shocks while doing the AAL. You have to disconnect the lower shock mount anyway, so while your down there...!

I have also heard the the Gabriels & Monroes are nice and smooth shocks, I can't relate though, Bilsteins for me and you won't like them if you want a softer ride!

 

[Jester1994]

What do I want?

Well the thing is, I don't know if I want to do shocks or not. Also, the other part is that I don't know what kind of ride I want. I gues sI most drive on the roads and highway with minimal off-roading, however, I will be getting bigger tires, ect when I throw the AAl, shackles and do the torsion twist. So, what kind of ride should I be looking for, what kind of shocks?

Hmmm...I guess I am looking for a decent ride, with some portion of offroadability ... Haha.